The candidates were asked to weigh in on the challenge of economic development in Wyoming, with responses not to exceed 150 words:

Economic development, specifically occupied storefronts and businesses, has been a challenge in Wyoming. To what do you attribute this ongoing challenge, what do you propose as a solution or approach, and how do you think this can be accomplished?

Lynn Crider

“Perhaps the best way to approach this question is from a broader perspective. Wyoming’s challenges around economic development aren’t unique. In fact, many local communities are striving to improve their ‘shop local’ environment. Despite the issues we may face, Wyoming has taken several positive steps forward in our development efforts. For example, demand for professional office space has proven to be a niche for our community – several previously vacant buildings along Springfield Pike are now filled with professional services companies. In the business district, both 400 and 500 Wyoming Avenue are full and Wyoming Farmer’s Market continues to be a draw. I see these positive results as building blocks for the city to leverage in its future strategic planning. Furthermore, I support the extension of the bike trail to our downtown and enhancing the Village Green Park for additional programming that will increase traffic to our business district.”

Al Delgado

“Until November 2012 I was a member of Wyoming Community Improvement Corporation. During that time we worked very hard along with members of Economic Development Commission to occupy the storefronts and businesses in Wyoming. At that time we surveyed the community of Wyoming, we reviewed the Master Plan and invited successful businesses to come to Wyoming.

“I do think the conscious efforts of the committees, along with the hard work of the city administration and the city council we were successful, in spite of the recession, bringing diligent entrepreneurs such as, Dale Hipsley of Half Day Café, Dino Distasi of Gabby’s and Distasi, Zack Green of FoxFire, The Art Resource Team, Law Office of Thomas Melott and Dr. Emily Shull to the already successful businesses. In the future we need to continue surveying the needs of the changing Wyoming community, networking with area communities, and inviting businesses to come see Wyoming. Once they come to Wyoming they will fall in love with the community and it business opportunities.”

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Jennifer Eismeier

“Wyoming has many thriving businesses that serve the community well and we have capacity for similar investment by more business owners. Wyoming’s small-town neighborhood feel makes us a perfect locale for businesses that want tight-knit community support and appeal to shoppers and customers who appreciate the same. It is also imperative that Wyoming businesses serve a broad market that extends beyond Wyoming’s borders and offer a range of high quality services or products. With no dedicated economic development director, the work of pitching Wyoming as an outstanding place to do business must be part of everyone’s job among city staff and council. This means understanding current vacancy in retail and commercial space, engagement with residents and other city business owners to understand community needs, and consistent attention to identifying opportunities to attract both new and existing businesses to Wyoming.”

Pamela Kamm

“The economic climate of the past few years has created challenges for all businesses, not just those located in Wyoming. Our city administration, under council’s direction, has worked diligently to locate and move businesses to our city. We have the CIC (Community Improvement Corporation) in place to ease the bureaucratic process of bringing business here and making it more efficient. We brought in HCDC to provide interested business owners with mentoring and training at no cost to the owner. Currently, downtown is thriving with 500 Wyoming Ave., in the heart of our business district, at 100 percent occupancy! It is leased with a mix of retail, services and office space. DeStasi’s recently opened their new restaurant and banquet center at 400 Wyoming Ave. We will continue to work with our existing businesses to help them as we can and seek new businesses that are in the best interest of our residents.”

Jenni McCauley

“Filling all storefronts/buildings is challenging. We forget that Hyde Park, Madeira, Anderson, etc... have vacancies too. All want every commercial /office space filled but few are able to achieve that dream. Most retail and restaurants choose location based on two factors – 1, location at an expressway exit; 2, large area of similar demographics? Again, few have that. What Wyoming can do (and has) is recognize that small business is our backbone. In fact, Wyoming has over 70 small businesses within our boundaries that are succeeding. Many are thriving. Our best approach is to get out of their way and listen for opportunities to help them improve their bottom line. Other tactics to help small businesses include using public-private partnerships where it improves both, encouraging the growth of existing businesses, stabilizing deteriorating properties, publicizing business news, vacancies, sales and creating a directory of all Wyoming businesses.”

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Jim O'Reilly

“Quality of our residential lifestyle attracts and retains families in Wyoming. The goal for our economic development will be to serve families’ needs. Like all other small businesses, the store owner who serves the customer best will have a long and positive relationship with Wyoming residents. All of us know that these are challenging times for businesses, but we are all pleased when a location flourishes with the right mix of products, attractive setting and services. From my years as a committee chair in the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, as a retired P&G worker, and more recently as an active small business investor with Queen City Angels, I will continue to support and encourage the success of our business core.”

Barry Porter

“The question of why a number of the Wyoming storefronts have had trouble maintaining businesses is not new. In most cases a new business to the area or a startup is attempting to enter the Wyoming business community. Success can be difficult if their business model has not accurately read the market or provided sufficient working capital necessary to establish a foothold. In some cases there is no business model, but a dream. The solution is for the city to help businesses be successful by attracting customers, or providing business advisers and expertise, or commissioning market studies, or a combination of the three. The city has limited financial resources, but has accesses to a number of experienced business professionals and advisors. It can sell Wyoming to the region. The city can provide a small town ambiance to attract people to the business district through its parks, street scape and parking.”

Vicky Zwissler

“Wyoming needs a coherent, broad based economic development program. We can accomplish this in our existing economic development commission. Currently there are random discounts and giveaways, only if Wyoming owns the property a business desires. Recent example: 400 Wyoming Ave. DiStasi Enterprises received the $450,000 building, 1/3 of the adjacent park and $270,000.00 in cash & improvements. All free, no repayment or follow-up reporting required. This wasn’t a council negotiation or vote. Only three council members were part of the committee (CIC) which negotiated and finalized the contract, risking $750,000.00 tax dollars. Unfortunately, the property just had a lien filed on it for non-payment of $146,000.000 in additional contractor work successfully completed last December. Should the development not succeed, the city can take back the property but will likely pay creditors to clear the title. An economic development program will build the entire business community instead of taking isolated risks.”